On 6 May 2026, representatives from academia, European institutions, regional authorities, and industry gathered at the European Parliament in Brussels for the high-level conference “Investing in Europe’s Future: Funding Pathways for Higher Education.” The event was co-organised by Member of the European Parliament Krzysztof Hetman, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Business & Science Poland, and the ATHENA European University Alliance.
The conference focused on one of the most pressing questions facing Europe today: how to effectively invest in the future of European higher education in a rapidly changing social, economic, and geopolitical landscape.
The keynote speech was delivered by Piotr Serafin, who shared perspectives on the future vision for European funding, competitiveness, and innovation. Discussions throughout the event highlighted the strategic role of universities in strengthening Europe’s resilience, fostering innovation, and supporting regional development.
Among the speakers were Krzysztof Hetman, who addressed the links between higher education, cohesion policy, and Horizon Europe, and Anne Besnier, Vice-President of the Region Centre-Val de Loire and member of the European Committee of the Regions, who presented regional perspectives on implementation and funding challenges.
The conference also showcased concrete examples of European university alliances and their long-term sustainability. Mariusz Głąbowski from Poznań University of Technology presented the EUNICE4U project, while Eric Blond, President of the ATHENA European University Alliance and representative of University of Orléans, shared ATHENA’s experience in building a sustainable alliance model without core funding.
The event created a valuable platform for dialogue between policymakers, university leaders, researchers, and industry representatives, reaffirming the importance of international cooperation and strategic investment in higher education across Europe.
ATHENA is proud to contribute to shaping the future of European higher education and to strengthening collaboration between universities, institutions, and society.
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